Megalithic science and some Scottish site plans
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3471483 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Gordon Moir, Clive Ruggles, Ray Norris, R P Norris (0000-0002-4597-1906) |
| Year | 1980 |
| Volume | 54 |
| Issue | 210 |
| Pages | 37-43 |
| Publication date | 1980-03-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Antiquity (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0003-598X • E-ISSN: 1745-1744 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0003598x00042848 |
| OpenAlex | W2279873238 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 5 |
A cairn supported at its edge by large stones may be removed. ... The ring which is left looks like a stone circle.' (Thom, 1967, 65).Professor A. Thom has surveyed a large number of archaeological sites (Thom, 1967; 1971). These surveys provide the basis from which he deduces the existence of the Megalithic Yard (MY), Megalithic Geometry and Megalithic Astronomy. In considering his evidence for these aspects of 'megalithic science' it is pertinent to enquire of each site: Does it date from the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age? Is it correctly identified? Do the stones occupy their original positions? Is the site plan accurate? Has the site already been discussed, or since discussed, in the archaeological literature? The example of Unival, discussed in detail later, shows that here Thom has made a serious error in identifying the site, and very probably made surveying errors. These errors vitiate part of his discussion of an important site. This mis-identification, and similar ones, could have been avoided if the archaeological literature had been consulted
Archaeology · Megalith · Plan (archaeology) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Geology · History · Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
| Highly cited | No |
|---|